The spokesperson for the Health and Population Ministry in Egypt, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar commented on the status of examination on samples taken from water stations in Aswan, southern Upper Egypt, following reports of an outbreak of an unspecified disease.
“Initial indicators of examining the samples confirm that there are no changes related to the presence of any specific bacteria in the water or in the food samples taken from street vendors,” he explained.
Several citizens in Aswan have recently reported fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea for unknown reasons.
The ministry ordered the dispatch of a central team from the Preventive Medicine Sector to uncover the cause of this mysterious disease.
During a phone interview with Extra News channel, Abdel-Ghaffar explained the details of the cases suffering from symptoms of nausea and digestive system symptoms in Aswan, and said, “There is an improvement in cases suffering from digestive system symptoms, as a result of the ministry’s efforts in dealing with these cases.”
He pointed out that Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly directed all concerned agencies, led by Aswan Governor Ismail Kamal, to reach the main cause of these symptoms, and provide the appropriate treatment services.
Abdel-Ghaffar gave general advice to citizens to prevent digestive system symptoms, which include washing hands before and after eating, cooking food well, washing fruits and vegetables, ensuring food is clean, avoiding food from street vendors and only obtaining food from safe sources.
He continued: “The central team is still working accurately and scientifically to reach the main reasons for the spread of these symptoms in the past days, and there are no microbiological changes in the drinking water in Aswan.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
